“Yep. I dared him to tell his dad because I’d tell Mr. Alderson exactly why I broke ’em. I guess Jerry didn’t want his old man to know he was a pervert because his people never called my people.”
“Thank you,” I said, placing a hand on his chest, appreciating the flex of his muscles underneath my palm. “Thank you for protecting me when I didn’t even know I needed it.”
“I will always look out for you, Niya,” Sean said. “I did it then and I will do it now.”
My insides buzzed. Electrical impulses shot through my being. I grinned, exulting in this sensation I identified as pure love. I could stay here all day but Sean wasn’t done.
He licked his lips, sliding his gaze from mine. “When Jhavon died, it was…” He appeared to struggle to find the words. “I couldn’t face you.”
My stomach tightened. I came down from my love buzz. “What do you mean you couldn’t face me? I mean, there was no reason to hide from me.”
An awkward pause ensued. Enough time for me to take in the potted plants and the red bricks along the perimeter of Ms. Maizie’s porch.
A cool breeze blew through us.
Sean shook his head. “Listen, the timing isn’t right. I want to explain everything, but right now I don’t want us to lose focus of why we’re here.” He cupped my head between his hands. “Just know I love you, Niya. I wish I could burst into the cook-out and shout, I love Janiya Renee Thompson at the top of my lungs but it wouldn’t be right.”
I chuckled. “I understand. I don’t expect you to do that.” I peered up at him from under my lashes. “I…uhm…I’ve never told anyone outside of my family members that I loved them. Ever. But the emotions just bubbled up from my heart.” I searched for words. “Once Ms. Maizie said what she said, they had to come out, like an unexpected burp.”
Sean’s nose crinkled. “Awhat?”
We both busted out laughing. I scrambled to explain. “You know, like if you drink soda and then all of a sudden this—”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I get it,” Sean said. “But you’re saying that your love for me is like a burp?”
“Well, I haven’t said the actual words yet,” I reminded him.
“Don’t,” he said, putting a finger over my lips and pulling me back into his arms. “Don’t say it. I want our first time to be special.”
My knees gave way. All of a sudden, I wasn’t thinking about the three words. I craved Sean’s touch, his smell, his intimate ramblings in my ear. I wanted this man for always.
“It will be,” I drawled out, my voice husky and filled with newfound desire.
“I didn’t mean likethat,” Sean said, pulling away slightly. “I mean, when we make love we’ll be married and it’ll be special, but I was referring to the first time you tell me those words. I envisioned us going on a picnic, sitting on a red and white checkered blanket under an old oak tree.”
Whoa. Sean must be reading Jazzy’s books because that wasn’t the way I saw that playing out.
“Uhm, Sean,” I said. “I don’t do outside. Or bugs. Or picnics. You’ve got the wrong chick in your fantasy.”
“There were no bugs in my dream,” Sean countered, pulling on my curls. “I’ve pictured this in my mind, in my dreams, for years. No doubt about it, Niya, it’s you and me.”
My lips curled into a smile. Something about the way he said it suddenly made his dream mine, too.
